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Purifying the Impure: Sequencing Metagenomes and Metatranscriptomes from Complex Animal-associated Samples
Published on: December 22, 2014
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Unveiling Crucivirus Diversity by Mining Metagenomic Data
Ignacio de la Higuera1, George W Kasun1, Ellis L Torrance1
1Department of Biology, Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Mbio
|September 3, 2020
Summary
This study reveals the extensive diversity of cruciviruses, a novel group of DNA viruses sharing protein features with RNA viruses. Frequent recombination drives their variability, with potential hosts identified within stramenopiles/alveolates/Rhizaria.
Area of Science:
- * Virology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- * Cruciviruses represent a unique class of circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA (CRESS-DNA) viruses.
- * They exhibit protein homology with RNA viruses, suggesting horizontal gene transfer.
- * Understanding crucivirus evolution is crucial due to their ecological and evolutionary significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify and characterize novel crucivirus genomes.
- * To analyze the diversity and evolutionary mechanisms of cruciviruses.
- * To investigate potential hosts for cruciviruses.
Main Methods:
- * Mining of metagenomic data for viral sequences.
- * *De novo* assembly of viral genomes.
- * Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison of viral proteins.
Main Results:
- * Discovery and characterization of 451 new crucivirus genomes and 10 related elements.
- * High diversity observed, primarily in replication-associated protein (Rep) sequences.
- * Frequent recombination identified as a key driver of crucivirus variability.
- * Stramenopiles/alveolates/Rhizaria supergroup suggested as potential hosts.
Conclusions:
- * Cruciviruses display significant genetic diversity driven by recombination.
- * Horizontal gene transfer of capsid genes between DNA and RNA viruses is evident.
- * This study provides a comprehensive characterization of cruciviruses and insights into their evolution.
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